Species Account
Extract from Bird Report 2024
A former extreme rarity; a resident population is now established. Included in 10% of BirdTrack lists, compared to 5.9% in 2023. The England long-term trend is increasing +25%. (Green list).
Successful breeding took place at Ampthill Park (3 young), Henlow Grange (3 young), The Lodge (noisy young in nest), Southill Park (at least 2 young) and Wilden (2 young), with also recently fledged young at Wigmore Valley Park. There were occupied nests at Maulden Wood and Woodbury Park Estate at Everton, and one was seen carrying food at Broom East. Probably other nests went unnoticed.
Otherwise, birds were seen, or heard calling, throughout the year and in most parts of the county, including over Bedford, Biggleswade, Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard, Luton, Sandy and Silsoe. A flock of 15 flew high over Froghall Wood at Bedford, heading south-west on 11th February, there were eight over Rushmere CP heading south on 1st April, and there were several other groups of five or six. There were also 13 records from The Pinnacle during 5th October to 4th November, which may have involved migrants.
